Washing machine



July 10, I945.

D. A. MEEKER WASHING MACHINE Filed June 11, 1942 1O --l6 ll l5 l4 I2 I g 35 ATTORNEYS Patented July 10, 1945 WASHING MACHINE David A. Meeker, Troy, Ohio, asslinor to The Hobart Manufacturing Company, Troy, Ohio, 9.

corporation oi Ohio Application June 11, 1942, Serial No. 446,667

7 chain.

This invention relates to washing machines and more particularly to machines -for washing dishes and the like.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a washing machine in which wash and rinse arms are mounted for rotation independently of each other under the reaction forces resulting from the discharge of the fluid sprays therefrom so that the rinse arm can rotate freely and without obstruction from the heavier wash arm and with a driving element actuated to operative position in response to the speed of rotation of the wash arm during use for engaging and driving the rinse arm from the wash arm in a predetermined non-interfering position.

It is a further object to provide a speed responsive drive for holding the inner of two rotating arms in predetermined relation to the outer arm during operation of the latter, leaving the inner arm entirely clear and free of contact with the outer arm when only the inner arm is operated.

It is a still further object to provide a simple and highly satisfactory drive for such inner arm which drive is actuated to an operative position in response to the operation of the outer arm and actuated to an inoperative position leaving the two arms free and separate from each other in response to operation of the inner arm.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the accompanying drawing, the following description and the appended claims.

In the drawing, which discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view on the line l--I of Fig. 2 showing a construction of washing device constructed in accordance with the present invention, the rinse arm being turned to a position parallel with the wash arm;

Fig. 2 is a plan view looking upwardly from the lower side of'Fig. 1 showing the relation of wash and rinse arms during the washing operation; and

Fig. 3 is a :broken view in perspective and on an enlarged scale also showing the parts in inverted position from that shown in Fig. 1.,

In washing machines such as those adapted for the washing of dishes and the like, a pair of rotary arms are provided which are located in the washing chamber, one of these arms being supplied with wash fluid and the other being suD- plied with rinse fluid. The wash arm is adapted to supply substantially more volume of fluid than the rinse arm, and it is relatively heavier in construction. Both arms are mounted for independent rotation, and adapted to be driven as a result of the reaction from the fluid streams or jets discharged therefrom.

Because of the greater size and weight of the wash arm, it is preferred to mount the arms for separate rotation so that thelesser force developed in the use of the rinse arm will be required only to rotate the lighter weight rinse arm, and not the heavier wash arm. However unless some provision is made for preventing interference of the rinse arm during the washing period, the

rinse arm'may be picked up in the rotation of the wash arm and caused to revolve in such a position as to intercept the sprays from the wash arm and prevent the proper and desired action thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, the inner or rinse arm is entirely free of contact with the wash arm during the operation of the rinse arm, but provision is made for driving the rinse arm during the washing operation, and for holding the rinse arm in a predetermined noninterfering position with respect to. the wash arm.

This is eiiected through the provision of a speed responsive element which in response to the speed of rotation of the wash arm in operation, establishes a driving connection for the rinse arm, holding the rinse arm during this period in proper non-interfering relation with the wash arm. It further imparts rotation to the rinse arm so that when the rinse fluid is supplied, it is already in rotation, and thus easily continues to rotate after the supply of fluid to the wash arm has been discontinued, and the wash arm allowed to come to rest. During this period the driving connection is rendered inoperative and the rinse arm rotates freely and completel out of contact with the wash arm, the reaction forces being sufil-cient to initiate rotation of the rinse arm alone from a position of restin the event that it is not already inmotion .at the time rinse fluid is supplied to it.

Referring to the drawing/the wash arm casting is shown at H) with a supply conduit ll leading thereinto, it being understood that-a suitable fluid pump or other liquid supply is provided for delivering the wash liquid into the wash arm casting. It will also be noted that, the invention is shown in relation to an upper wash arm assemare-positioned below the wash chamber, and arranged to direct fluid sprays upwardly to and upon the articles within the chamber.

'I'hecasting lihasaneckportion ll whichis recessed to receive a stem or pin ll held in place by means of its shoulder II and a fastening means It. A suitable bushing it, bronze or like material is pressed into the wash arm ill and mounted over the lower extending end of pin ll. A ring 2| is fastened to the arm I. in position over the end of the bushing ll, being held in place by means of bolts 22, such ring providing a thrust surface for transmitting the downward thrust upon the arm in use.

An extension pin 26 is threaded into the lower end of pin l4 and is shouldered to receive a collar 2 which is arranged adjacent the ring II to provide a thrust bearing therewith.

The lower end of pin is threaded to receive a wing bolt 2| which is shouldered to receive ring 19, such ring being bolted to the rinse arm hub by means of bolts 3|. The rinse arms 32 are removably secured in the hub 30 by means of bolts 83, and the entire rinse arm assembly therefor is mounted for rotation about pin 25 with the ring 29 serving as a thrust bearing.

Rinse fluid is supplied through conduit 34 into the hollow end of the casting l0 and thence through communicating passages 35 in pins II and 25, into the hollow part 36 of the hub 30, and outwardly through the rinse arms 32.

As shown, the wash arm 20 is provided with angularly positioned slots 40 through which the wash fluid is projected and the angular position of which results in imparting rotary movement by reaction to the wash arm when in operation. Similarly nozzles 42 are carried by the rinse arms and the reaction against the rinse arm when in operation is eii'ective to rotate the rinse arm in the same direction as the wash arm. The rinse arm is thus mounted eoaxially with the wash arm and in a position inwardly thereof in the direction in which the fluid is projected.

At the under side of the wash arm 20 and outwardly of the axis of rotation there is provided a boss lit which is threaded to receive a pivot bolt II for mounting a lever 52. At one end th lever is provided with a weighted member 53 which is subject to centrifugal force during the rotation of the wash arm, under such conditions being movable outwardly to cause the squared driving end It of the lever to pivot inwardly to an operative position.

The hub 30 of the rinse arm is formed with symmetrically located web extensions 58 which act as driven members for cooperation with drive member 54 in the operative position of the latter. Driven members 58 are located in predetermined angular relation to the wash arms II so that when driving engagement is established, the rinse arm assembly will be rotated at the same speed as the wash arm and will be held in a predetermined position with respect thereto in which it will be out of the path of the wash jets, and hence not in position to cause any interference with the proper washing action, as shown in Fig. 2.

Thus during the washing operation the rinse arm is caused to rotate, and in the same direction in which it will subsequently rotate when performing the rinsing function. when the supply of wash fluid is discontinued and the wash arm allowed to come to rest, the supply of rinse fluid to the rinse arm will continue the rinse arm in the rotation which has already been established. If for any reason there has been a delay between the supp of wash and rinsing fluids such that the rinse arm has come to rest, the rinse arm will .be free to begin rotation, and without the necessity of rotating the much heavier wash arm assembly. As the rinse arm rotates in advance of the wash arm, it first withdraws the driven member 58 from contacting relation with the driving memb or H, and during the next half rotation of the 'rinse arm relative to the wash arm, the opposite member 56 will engage the sloping cam face 58 of the drive member, in such direction as to cam the lever out of interfering position, and to a full clearance position where the rinse arm is permitted to continue to rotate without further contact or interference from the wash arm or any of the driving parts. Stop pins and II, carried on opposite sides -of the pivot axis 5| engage suitable abutments on the wash arm to limit the extent of the centrifugal lever in its two directions of movement.

The invention therefore provides in a high y simple and satisfactory manner a construction or washing device in which the outer arm supplying fluid is caused to rotate the inner arm and to retain such arm in a predetermined noninterfering position under control of the speed responsive device, and in which upon termination of its operation, the driving connection is disconnected, and the inner arm allowed to rotate under its own reaction force without carrying the outer arm with it, and completely free and out of contact therewith.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scop of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing machine of the character described, a pair of fluid distributing arms for distributing fluid to and upon the articles to be washed, a stem member, means for mounting said arms adjacent each other for independent rotation with one of the arms being positioned inwardly of the other in the direction in which the fluid is projected, a drive member carried by and rotatable with the outer of said arms, a driven member carried by and rotatable with the inner of said arms and positioned out of the path of said drive member when the latter is not rotating, and means responsive to the speed of rotation of said outer arm for moving said drive member into an operative position to engage said driven member, said drive member and said driven member being so related to one another anguiarly about the axis of rotation that when said members are in engagement said inner member is in predetermined non-interfering position relative to said outer member. 1

2. In a washing machine of the character described, a pair of fluid distributing arms for distributing fluid to and upon the articles to be washed, means for mounting said arms for coaxial rotation independently of each other under the reaction from the water discharged therefrom, a driven member carried by and rotatable with the inner of said arms, a drive member carried by and rotatable with the outer of said arms and normally out of contact with said driven member when said drive member is not rotating providing for free and unobstructed rotation of said inner arm alone, and means responsive to aseaoaa the rotation of said outer arm i'or'moving-said drive member to an operative position to engage said driven member, said drive member and said driven member being so related to one another angularly about the axis of rotation that when said members are in engagement said inner arm tion independently of each other under the reaction from the water discharged therefrom, a drive membercarried by and rotatable with said wash arm and movable from an inoperative to an operative position, a driven member carried by and rotatable with said rinse arm and located out of the path or said drive member when the latter is not rotating, and means responsive to the speed of rotation oi. said wash arm for moving said drive member into said operative position to engage said driven member, said drive member and said driven member being so related to one another angularly about the axis of rotation that when said members are in engagement said rinse arm is in a predetermined non-interfering position relative to said wash arm.

4. In a washing machine of the character de* scribed, a rotary wash arm, a rotary rinse arm, means for mounting said arms for coaxial rotatlon independently of each other under the reaction from the water discharged therefrom,

a drive member carried by and rotatable with said wash arm, a driven member carried by and rotatable with said rinse arm, means responsive to the speed of rotation of said wash arm for said wash arm for engaging the other or said members to return said drive member to an inoperative non-interiering position to provide for tree and unobstructed rotation of said rinse arm alone.

- 5. In a washing machine or the character described, inner and outer rotary wash arms for separately distributing fluid to and upon the articles to be washed, speed responsive means carried by said outer arm responsive tothe speed 01' rotation thereof in operation, means actuated by said speed responsive means for engaging said inner arm to' drive and rotate said inner arm in response to rotation of said outer arm, said engaging means and said inner arm being so related to one another that said outer arm is held in predetermined non-interfering relation with respect thereto, and means for effecting disengagement of said actuated means in response to operation of said inner arm to provide for free and unobstructed rotation thereof.

6. In a washing machine of the character described, inner and outer rotary arms for separately distributing fluid to and upon the articles to be washed, 9, weighted member mounted upon one of said arms eccentrically thereof and adapted to move into an operative position in response to centrifugal force developed during rotation of said arm, means on the other of said arms for engagement with said movable member in its said operative position to provide for driving said other arm from said first mentioned arm, said engaging means and said movable member being so related to one another relative to the axis of rotation that when said members are in engagement said arms are held'in predetermined non-interfering relation with respect to each other, and means carried by said weighted member and adapted to contact said engaging means for restoring said weighted member to inoperative position out of contact with said engaging means during operation of said other arm.

7. In a washing machine of the character. described, a pair of rotary arms for distributing fluid to and upon the articles to be washed, means for mounting said arms for independent rotanon-interfering position.

. DAVID A. MEEKER. 

